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VANCOUVER — Solomon Elimimian has accomplished something no other defensive player has ever done in the CFL.

The B.C. Lions middle linebacker on Thursday night was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player, becoming the first exclusively defensive player to win the award since it was first handed out in 1953.

Elimimian broke the CFL’s tackle record this season, bringing down the opposition a whopping 143 times. He also set the league’s total tackle mark with 151, which includes special teams takedowns, and he also produced five sacks. He became the first player to record at least 10 tackles in six games in one season.

“My thing was I knew that I was going to dominate every game,” Elimimian said. “It was just about how much I was going to dominate. I feel like I’m starting to come into my own.”

Elimimian brought all his teammates and his mom up to the stage after winning the MOP award at the end of the show. Later, during his media briefing, he said he woke up at 4 a.m. on Thursday and couldn’t get back to sleep.

“Winning an award is something great, but winning something of this magnitude is probably something I won’t fully comprehend or fully appreciate until later on,” Elimimian said. “It’s unbelievable.”

Elimimian received 48 of 62 votes from the Football Reporters of Canada to win the honour over Argos quarterback Ricky Ray, who was also the runner-up for the award last year.

Elimimian, who hails from Crenshaw, Calif., and attended the University of Hawaii, also took home the league’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player award during the gala at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. He was victorious over Montreal middle linebacker Bear Woods, picking up 58 of 62 first-place votes.

The two awards on Thursday night give Elimimian three in his career, as he also captured the league’s Most Outstanding Rookie honour in 2010. No player has ever won three separate awards in his career.

Last year’s most outstanding player, Stampeders running back Jon Cornish, was named the Most Outstanding Canadian for the third straight year after winning the rushing title despite appearing in just nine games. Cornish, who dealt with two concussions and a leg injury, dashed for 1,082 yards in his nine appearances. No player has ever won the rushing title playing in so few games.

Cornish, who has won the last three rushing crowns, finished with 1,215 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns for the Stampeders, who will play for the 102nd Grey Cup on Sunday near his hometown of New Westminster, B.C.

The runner-up for the Most Outstanding Canadian honour was Hamilton defensive tackle Ted Laurent.

Cornish’s teammate, centre Brett Jones, won a major award for the second straight year, picking up the most outstanding offensive lineman honour over Montreal right tackle Jeff Perrett. Last year’s CFL rookie of the year anchored the league’s top offensive line, which generated the most rushing yards per game and allowed the fewest sacks. The Weyburn, Sask., product picked up 41 of 62 first-place votes to become the second straight person from his hometown to win the award. Roughriders left guard Brendon LaBatte nabbed it last year.

Argos kicker Swayze Waters was the lone player from the East Division to win a major award. The Jackson, Miss., product captured the Outstanding Special Teams Award after leading the league in kicking points, field goals and yards per punt. Waters topped Winnipeg’s Lirim Hajrullahu in the voting.

Eskimos linebacker Dexter McCoil was named the Most Outstanding Rookie after recording 67 tackles, four sacks and tying for the league lead with six interceptions. He returned two picks for touchdowns and added a third major on a fumble return.

The CFL handed out a few other awards on Thursday night. Calgary long snapper Randy Chevrier took home the Tom Pate Memorial Award for displaying qualities that distinguish him from his peers, and Toronto linebacker James Yurichuk received the Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award for best demonstrating the attributes of Canadian veterans.

The Ottawa RedBlacks ownership group was honoured with the Commissioner’s Award for successfully bringing the CFL back to the nation’s capital, and outgoing Roughriders president and CEO Jim Hopson was honoured with the Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award.

THE WINNERS

Player

Solomon Elimimian, LB, B.C.

Elimimian broke the CFL’s tackle record with 143, bettering the mark of 130 set by Edmonton’s J.C. Sherritt in 2012. The Crenshaw, Calif., native, who was also the CFL’s rookie of the year in 2010, led a Lions defence that allowed the third-fewest points in the CFL.

Votes: 48 of 62

Runner-up: QB Ricky Ray, Toronto

Defensive Player

Solomon Elimimian, LB, B.C.

As mentioned above, Elimimian was not only a tackle machine in 2014, but he also chipped in with five sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He is the first exclusively defensive player to win the most oustanding player award.

Votes: 58 of 62

Runner-up: LB Bear Woods, Montreal

Canadian

Jon Cornish, RB, Calgary

The 30-year-old New Westminster, B.C., product won the CFL’s rushing race with 1,082 yards, despite playing in just nine games. Overall he had 1,215 yards from scrimmage and scored six touchdowns.

Votes: 50 of 62

Runner-up: DT Ted Laurent, Hamilton

Offensive Lineman

Brett Jones, C, Calgary

The Weyburn, Sask., native, who was last year’s CFL rookie of the year, was part of arguably the CFL’s best offensive line, which allowed the fewest sacks and had the most rushing yards. The former University of Regina Ram didn't miss a game this year.

Votes: 41 of 62

Runner-up: RT Jeff Perrett, Montreal

Special Teams

Swayze Waters, K/P, Toronto

The Jackson, Miss., product led the CFL in kicking points (192), field goals (47) and punting (47.7 yards per boot). The last player to lead the league in those three categories was Lui Passaglia in 1983. He also kicked the longest field goal of the season, a 53-yarder in Week 13.

Votes: 51 of 62

Runner-up: Lirim Hajrullahu, Winnipeg

Rookie

Dexter McCoil, LB, Edmonton

The University of Tulsa product was all over the field in 2014, becoming only the 22nd player in league history to score three defensive touchdowns in a season. He tied for the league lead with six interceptions, and chipped in with four sacks and 67 tackles.